Headlight or running lamp recommendation

[merigayle]

I was only on a trail by accident.

[radial]

I ended up carrying a big maglite flashlight instead.

Yeah, I went with the flashlight solution too.  The one I referenced upthread is small enough to clip to your waistband.  It's only 5.5 inches long and weighs just 157 g with batteries.  Three different lighting levels with the highest one being a blinding 550 lumens.  Works for me

[ctjim]

Yeah, I went with the flashlight solution too.  The one I referenced upthread is small enough to clip to your waistband.  It's only 5.5 inches long and weighs just 157 g with batteries.  Three different lighting levels with the highest one being a blinding 550 lumens.  Works for me

"tactical flashlight". Love it.
The big mag I ran with was about as heavy as a Louisville Slugger.

[i am party]

I love my Petzl "Zipka" with the retractable "headband."

[Eco Ellen]

I love my Petzl "Zipka" with the retractable "headband."

Does that one hurt?

[Eco Ellen]

I've been waiting for you!

[Hobie1]

I have an old Petzl Tikka but I don't wear it much.  I find that when it is really cold in the morning all I see is fog in the light so it defeats the purpose.

I've noticed that many people wear knucklelights or carry small flashlights.   For some reason the new trend is to get as much candlepower as possible so you can blind the poor SOB coming towards you on the path.  The other morning I came upon a pod of female runners, all of whom had 5 million candlepower headlights or flashlights that they flashed in my face as they yelled good morning and good job.  I couldn't see shit for about two blocks.

[radial]

For some reason the new trend is to get as much candlepower as possible so you can blind the poor SOB coming towards you on the path. 

I run my flashlight on the lowest or second lowest power setting with a red filter so nobody's night vision is going to be impaired.  But I kind of like having 550 lumens just a click or two away.  If/when things go bump in the night, it's nice to be able to light up the immediate environment like a surgical amphitheater. 

[Eco Ellen]

I had heard about knuckle lights as well.

[radial]

Maybe it's kind of like a Doppler thing? A driver sees a white light and he expects it to be coming toward him, no matter which side of the road it's on; he sees a red light and expects that it's moving away. A red light on the front, coming towards him, might make for some confusion and could cause an accident.

Or maybe it's a non-Doppler thing.  When I see a reddish light I think, hey, that's something I need to pay attention to.  If I don't, it might result in an accident (if it's a traffic light) or a citation (if it's a cop).  White light is no big deal. 

[nadra24]

I borrowed my friend's knuckle lights during my last Ragnar and really liked them.  I was running on uneven ground on the shoulder of the road and it was much easier to see my footing with them, and I was less annoyed by holding them than I was by the headlamp I was also wearing.  I'm not sure I'll pony up the cash for my own pair since I don't run outside at night unless I'm running a relay race, but if I knew I'd use them on a regular basis I would.

[nadra's babydaddy]

I borrowed my friend's knuckle lights during my last Ragnar and really liked them.  I was running on uneven ground on the shoulder of the road and it was much easier to see my footing with them, and I was less annoyed by holding them than I was by the headlamp I was also wearing.  I'm not sure I'll pony up the cash for my own pair since I don't run outside at night unless I'm running a relay race, but if I knew I'd use them on a regular basis I would.

Running through Las Vegas would definitely be the optimal time to have some of those!

[ihop]

I can't remember the brand of my headlamp but know that it is a "junior" size.  The adult ones were too large.  And I, too, have to wear it with a hat.

I also bought one that clips to the hat or visor bill.  It was very light weight but it only lasted a few weeks before I couldn't get it to turn on.   

[Eco Ellen]

I'm leaning towards the knuckle lights now, which is too bad, because they don't sell those at LL Bean, where I wouldn't have to put out any cash.

[JBM]

There are lights that clip on to the bill of a hat - in fact I think LLBean has them, but I am pretty sure for some reason Home Depot has them as well. I have a friend who uses the knuckle lights and is now nicknamed ' Knuckles' as a result. I know another lady who is tiny and somehow manages to shimmy into the strap and wears the light around her chest, under her non-boobs. I am not sure if she is so thin just expanding the straps does it, or if extends it somehow. So, lots of options, you just need to decide what will work for you.

[Mom of Scooby]

I borrowed my friend's knuckle lights during my last Ragnar and really liked them.  I was running on uneven ground on the shoulder of the road and it was much easier to see my footing with them, and I was less annoyed by holding them than I was by the headlamp I was also wearing.  I'm not sure I'll pony up the cash for my own pair since I don't run outside at night unless I'm running a relay race, but if I knew I'd use them on a regular basis I would.

Do they fit over gloves?


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[radial]

Black Diamond Cosmo - $29.95 at REI

The Black Diamond Spot headlamp is widely respected, and at $39.95 from LL Bean is a price/performance winner that Ellen should jump on.  Check the reviews.  Maybe it will end up hurting her head, but at that price I wouldn't hesitate to give it a go.  If it hurts, send it back and get some of those goofy knuckle lights (or a flashlight). 

[nadra24]

Do they fit over gloves?


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It was June when I used them, but I assume that if they fit on man hands they would fit on my small gloved hands.

[i am party]

Does that one hurt?

No.  Can't even feel it.  It's heavenly.

[Honey Badger]

$5.00 off Knuckle Lights on their website knuckle lights.com with coupon code: KLRFM5
I think I'm going to try them.  It's pretty dark here and lots of critters and wildlife out in the early hours.
They come in pink; ellen's favorite color. 
I think wearing a headlamp would bug the hell out of me.